Psychiatrist Stabbed to Death in Guadeloupe Sparks Outcry Over Healthcare Worker Safety

On December 1, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded at the Centre Médico-Psychologique (CMP) in Gosier, Guadeloupe, where Dr. Jean-Michel Gal, a respected psychiatrist, was fatally stabbed by a patient during a consultation. This shocking act has sent ripples through the local medical community and reignited concerns about violence against healthcare professionals in the region.

Dr. Gal was renowned for his dedicated psychiatric care, having served hundreds of patients across Guadeloupe. Ida Jhigai, director of the public mental health establishment, expressed the profound loss the institution faces with his death, highlighting the significant void it leaves. The CMP was closed on December 5 as a mark of respect, with a single bouquet of bougainvillea left at its gate.

Local residents, like Sylvio A., conveyed their disbelief over such violence striking a usually peaceful neighborhood. Meanwhile, Frédérique Dulorme, president of the regional union of liberal doctors, underscored an alarming rise in both verbal and physical assaults against healthcare workers in Guadeloupe. She referenced a survey revealing that many doctors in the region have experienced such aggressions, pointing to an urgent need for enhanced protections for medical personnel.

This incident has not only deeply affected the mental health community but also brought to the forefront issues of safety and security for healthcare providers in Guadeloupe. The tragic loss of Dr. Gal serves as a stark reminder of the growing risks faced by those on the frontline of patient care in the territory.